Guess the guy was right.
Justin remembered the first time they’d snuck into Bounce. They’d been only seventeen, and Caleb had greased the bouncer’s palm with about six hundred dollars so they could get in. Justin had felt as if he’d stepped into a whole other world. The darting laser lights, the music, drinks, people, dancing had all been amazing. When his foster father had found out, the guy tried to beat the daylights out of Justin. That was when Demetri had set Justin up with his own apartment. Demetri had sworn he’d handle Justin’s foster father. The guy must have because Justin was never bothered again.
It wasn’t like Justin’s foster father had been a prize. Although Justin was thankful for a roof over his head, the guy had been a complete jerk. Justin had been glad to get his own place.
“How about this?” Caleb pulled out a fishnet shirt that would show off Justin’s frail chest. It was deep purple and a bit sparkly.
“Try again,” Justin said as he swiveled in his chair and marked the page he’d been reading in his psychology book.
“I don’t see why you try to hide your body,” Caleb commented as he pulled another shirt from the closet that was bigger than the bedroom in Justin’s apartment. “You always wear those saggy outfits that make you look like you’re trying your father’s clothes on.”
That’s because I’m ashamed of looking like I’ve been starved for weeks on end. Which Justin wasn’t but his sickness prevented him from gaining any weight. “Just pick another shirt.”
Caleb’s amber eyes lit up. “I know the perfect outfit for you.” The man ran back into his closet, and Justin rolled his eyes. If it was see-through or made of leather, he was going to choke his best friend.
Justin rose from his chair and walked over to the fireplace, placing his hands in front of the crackling fire to warm them. He wished the nights would hurry up and turn warm. He’d always hated the cold and was glad winter was over, but it seemed like summer was taking forever to get here.
“Tada!” Caleb held up a pair of dark-grey slacks and a thermal shirt that was soft black and had four bottoms by the collar. “Plain, but it’ll look great on you.”
“Now that outfit I’ll wear,” Justin said. He knew that Caleb hadn’t wanted to pick something like that out for Justin to wear, but he had considered Justin’s discomfort with tight-fitting clothes. And that was one of the reasons the guy was his best friend.
“Knew you would. You’ll go with the suave and sophisticated look tonight. I have a tweed overcoat and some killer-ass suede boots that will look great on you.”
“Caleb Frost, my personal wardrobe consultant.”
Caleb chuckled. “Damn straight. My boy has got to look good when we step out to the clubs.” He laid the shirt and pants on the bed before returning to the closet for the shoes and coat. “Okay,” Caleb said when he emerged once more. “Go shower and get ready. I want to get out of here before my dad figures out what we’re up to.”
Justin took the shirt and pants from the bed and headed to the bedroom across from Caleb’s. He never understood why this house had like twenty bedrooms, and all stood unoccupied. Not that Justin was complaining. He liked the fact that it was just Caleb and his father, along with Aberdeen and Wulf who lived here. Servants were here during the day, dusting, vacuuming, and things like that, but only Aberdeen and Wulf lived here full time.
After showering, Justin slid on the clothes and smoothed his hand down the shirt. It really was soft against his skin. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror, turning from one side to the other and nodded. The clothes did look good on him. Caleb had a flare for fashion and a knack for being able to dress even the skinniest of men.
Justin ambled back to Caleb’s bedroom and sat on the bed, pulling on the socks that Caleb had left for him. Silk. His toes felt funny resting against such slippery material. He glanced up when the bathroom door opened. Justin quickly turned his head, and he could feel his cheeks heating. “Put some damn clothes on, Caleb.”
His best friend laughed. “Can’t help it. You know I’m a nature boy.”
And the guy had one hell of a body. Not that Justin was attracted to Caleb, but he had to admit that Caleb was built just like Demetri, all hard lines and sculpted muscles. It must be genetics. Caleb and his father even had the same amber eyes and silky black hair.
No wonder all the chicks flock to Caleb.
Caleb slipped on a pair of boxers and then motioned for Justin to get into the bathroom. “We have to do something with your hair.”